Brown Signs Bill To Target 100 Percent Clean Electricity By 2045

SACRAMENTO (CBSLA/AP) — California would set a goal of phasing out all fossil fuels from the state’s electricity sector by 2045 under legislation signed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Brown signed the measure Monday as he prepares to host a summit in San Francisco of climate change leaders from around the world later this week.

“This bill and the executive order put California on a path to meet the goals of Paris and beyond. It will not be easy. It will not be immediate. But it must be done,” said Brown.

He has positioned California as a global leader in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

But not everyone is satisfied with the move: the bill would not affect in-state oil and gas drilling.

Some environmentalists are pushing Brown to end new drilling permits. Business groups are also critical of the legislation, saying it sets impossible targets and could increase electric bills.

The renewable energy measure also would require California’s utilities to generate 60 percent of their energy from wind, solar and other specific renewable sources by 2030. That’s 10 percent higher than the current mandate.

The state would then aim to use only carbon-free sources to generate electricity by 2045. It’s merely a goal, with no mandate or penalty for falling short.